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Protecting one's rights after a DUI in Philadelphia

The weather is getting nice in Philadelphia and, as a result, more and more people will be spending time outdoors. There are many outdoor events, concerts, sporting events and backyard barbeques. One thing that is common at most of these events is alcohol. It is not hard to have one too many when you are having a good time at a summertime event. However, those who decide to drive after drinking alcohol may be charged with a DUI.

DUIs are divided into three different tiers based on a person's blood alcohol content (BAC). The first tier is a BAC between .08% - .10%. The second is between .10% - .16% and the last tier is .16% and above or if the person refuses to take a test to determine his or her BAC. If convicted, the penalties vary depending on the BAC of the person at the time. The penalties increase as the person's BAC measures higherl.

Some DUI convictions also may result in jail time. This is determined by the level of alcohol or drugs in a person's system, if there was an accident involved, whether the person had prior DUIs and other factors. In addition to criminal penalties, the person may also lose his or her driver's license for a period of time, be ordered to pay fines and other penalties.

However, before these penalties can be issued, the person first must be convicted. There may be defenses available to the person, depending on the facts of the case. The stop itself could be challenged, as well as the validity of the test used to determine the person's BAC. If the test or the stop is found to be invalid, the case may be dismissed.

Many people in Philadelphia are charged with DUIs each year. The penalties can be severe and can include jail time and the loss of one's driver's license for a period of time. There may be defenses available. Our firm has handled many DUI cases and understands the law regarding them. For more information on how we defend DUI charges, please visit our Philadelphia DUI DWI Lawyer page on our website.

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